If you're a CFO or FP&A professional, you'll be required to understand how your organization is positioned to achieve its strategic goals and what elements influence its ability to implement change successfully.
McKinsey 7S Model is one of the most powerful tools to assess the organization’s effectiveness in achieving its strategic goals through the interactions of seven key elements – Structure, Strategy, Skills, System, Shared Values, Style, and Staff.
The focus of the McKinsey 7s Model lies in the interconnection of the elements that are categorized by “Soft Ss” and “Hard Ss”.
“Hard Ss” refers to Structure, Strategy, and system, whereas the remaining elements, which are Skills, style, stuff, and shared values are considered as “Soft Ss.”.
Let me break it down for you...
1. Structure
Structure is the way in which a company is organized. In other words, how departments and teams are structured, including who reports to whom, and so on.
2. Strategy
Strategy refers to the organization's plan for building a sustainable competitive advantage over its competitors, reinforced by the company’s mission and values.
3. Systems
Systems refers to the business and technical infrastructure of the company that establishes workflows and the chain of decision-making.
Peter Turner
4. Skills
Skills form the capabilities and competencies of the organization's employees that enables achieve its strategic objectives.
5. Style
The attitude of senior employees in a company establishes a code of conduct through their ways of interactions and symbolic decision-making, which forms the style of leadership adopted.
6. Staff
Staff involves the employees and their general capabilities, and all human resources related to company decisions, such as training, recruiting, and rewards systems.
7. Shared values
These are the core values of the organization and reflect its general work ethic. It plays an important role in aligning all key elements to maintain an effective organizational design.
Download free financial templates & frameworks
Access the latest insights from renowned finance experts (from companies like Adobe, Salesforce, Burberry, Virgin Galactic, and more), battle-tested templates & frameworks, as well as a network of peers to bounce ideas off and help overcome your challenges.
Become a Finance Alliance Insider member for endless insights, connections, and real-life success stories... and we'll bet our bottom dollar that you'll be wanting more.
